The Troubling View of Joel Osteen

Joel Osteen appeared on The View on Tuesday morning to promote his new book, The Christmas Spirit. It was during the interview that he spoke more about his relativism than the gospel. When asked about homosexuality, he responded with a very non-offensive answer in an attempt to please The View and those who watch the program. Joel Osteen may be called a pastor, a Christian, and a man of God by some people, but if he truly believes what he said in his interview on Nov. 16th, 2010, he believes a different gospel than the one found in the pages of Holy Scripture. Although his position on homosexuality may be offensive to the evangelical church, we should be more worried about his relativism that fuels his position on homosexuality!

At one point during the interview, Barbara Walters referred back to a previous appearance of Osteen on their program. She wanted to dig deeper into Osteen’s position regarding homosexuality. According to Walters, Osteen had stated in his previous appearance that homosexuality was not “God’s best for people.” She wanted more clarification, so she said, “Recently a pastor of an evangelical church in Georgia named Jim Swilley came out and said that he was gay. He is married, he has children, but he is gay. What’s your feelings about that?“ Osteen responded by saying, “Well, first off Barbara, I should finish that sentence. I should make it clear. I don’t think it’s God’s best for your life. I don’t NOT think it’s God’s best making us. As far as that pastor is concerned, I don’t know that individual situation. I think that, I believe the Scriptures teach us that a pastor in leadership like that is not going to stay in a Christian church like ours.“ That led Barbara Walters to ask a very specific follow-up question. She asked, “Should he get out of the Christian church if he is gay?“ Osteen responded by saying, “You know, I think that’s totally up to him.”

Later in the interview, it was pointed out that Joel Osteen gave the prayer for the newly elected lesbian Mayor of Houston. When given opportunities to refute the theory that homosexuals are created by God as homosexuals and that God somehow desires that they live that lifestyle – Osteen spent his time agreeing with them rather than refuting their false theories. Whoopi, Joy, Barbara, and the other co-hosts seem to embrace a type of moralistic relativism. They seem to believe that all people have a built-in ability to approach God on their own terms, on their own path, and receive the love of God. Rather than being a true prophet of God – Osteen spent his time agreeing with false doctrines that will send millions of people to Hell.

Whoopi Goldberg actually brought up the core answer to the entire conversation when she asked Osteen a question near the end of the program. She asked, “Don’t you believe that God in His infinite wisdom created us all as individuals and gave us enough intelligence to go to Him for those answers that we sometimes look to people on earth for?“ Although she continued by making other troubling statements, this question is really the heart of the issue. The Bible teaches us that man doesn’t have this ability to approach God on his own terms. Romans 3 provides us clear evidence that fallen man is a rebel by nature and does not seek after God! In fact, it’s really clear that sinful man is unable to go to God unless God draws that individual to Himself (John 6:44). Therefore, due to the radical depravity of the human heart – man chooses alternative lifestyles that contradict God’s intention for humanity. These lifestyles include homosexuality, divorce, and child molestation. Just because a person rapes a child doesn’t mean that God created them that way and that His intentions are for adults to have such relationships with children. Clearly – that is a violation of God’s plan. It’s clearly a sin against God. Likewise, homosexuality does the same thing. Joel Osteen should have quoted Scripture and defended the faith once delivered to the saints.

At the end of the day, we must view Osteen as something other than a pastor. A Christian pastor is one who believes that the gospel is a narrow path – not a wide relative path that each person defines on their own terms. A pastor must be able to defend the faith against those who are spreading false doctrines (Titus 1:9). Clearly, Osteen was not able to do that when surrounded by women who pervert the gospel of Christ. Osteen may be an author and a speaker, but he isn’t a Christian pastor. People should avoid Joel Osteen’s teachings, books, and his church due to his relativism that denies the true gospel of Jesus Christ. True pastors are unable to make everyone happy. True prophets say, “Thus saith the LORD.” Osteen will say whatever makes people feel good – no matter if it leads them down a broad relative pathway to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13). Rather than submitting to their view – Osteen should have pointed to the the view of God found in Holy Scripture.

Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (ESV).

34 Comments

Aaron Kiefer
on November 17, 2010 at 7:38 am

What is sad is that these are precious minutes of his life that he will never receive back. C.S. Lewis said something along the lines of “your actions will either hinder or help other people stay on the narrow path to heaven in this life”.Clearly we only have one life to life, but let’s ask ourselves: what if Joel repents one day and see’s his wrong? How much heartache will he have sown in his past with his watery words and cotton candy message? -Too much. May God grant him mercy.

Didn’t he do the same thing on Larry King (regarding other faiths or something like that)? He then went on to issue an apology for his answer, but it appears he hasn’t learned.He must know that questions like these will come up inevitably, yet he fails each time to give a clear answer. The above quotes (of Osteen) are worse than political side-stepping.But when your interest is to promote a book in time for the holidays, I guess you don’t want to affect potential sales with ‘sticky’ issues like homosexuality or the exclusivity of Christ as the only path to salvation.

I think we have to be fair to Osteen: The interview wasn’t fair. Those four clucking hens really didn’t give him a chance. They just interrupted him with nauseatingly pithy proverbs of relativism.However, he could have done more to deliver a concise, biblically founded, argument. I think he was right to keep his mouth shut about other Christian leaders. To me, that is evidence that he is aware of his own imperfections.In this article you are right to point out the heart of the issue. What one thinks about homosexuality is not what defines if one is a believer in Christ. If he actually believes that every person can freely approach God and bypass the Body of Christ, that is certainly troubling.Most disturbing of all, to me, is not what he thinks about homosexuality, but what he thinks about the church. Apparently we’re here to uplift people.I’m sorry?We’re here to be Christ’s presence on earth. Yes, that means we will stretch out hands of healing and kindness to the poor and oppressed. It also means we will shout down and work against the oppressors in our society.But no, let’s uplift them instead and make them feel great about the life they’re living….

Ian,I realize that Osteen was in a very odd place when he took the seat on their program – however – if Bill O’Reilly can cause the co-hosts to leave the set – surely a gospel preacher can – right? I think that’s the issue I’m arguing for here in this post. Osteen isn’t a gospel preacher. When these types of people can invite Osteen on their program and enjoy his presence – something is wrong! Especially after asking pointed questions and hearing his answers!I already knew of Osteen’s perverted theology and have been writing about it for years now, however, it’s just troubling to watch the spread of a moralistic relativism theology to America and watch how easily everyone takes the bait.Martin Luther once said, “The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man was the idea that somehow he could make himself good enough to deserve to live with an all-holy God.”

I always cringe when he and others like him appear on these shows trying to “fit in” with a pagan culture and capitulating to their terms. Like them or not, I appreciate how MacArthur and Al Mohler have always been crisp and clear about the questions being asked, don’t simply give their views, but point them to the Scriptures and the implications of the Gospel.

Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death (ESV)Martin Luther once said, “The most damnable and pernicious heresy that has ever plagued the mind of man was the idea that somehow he could make himself good enough to deserve to live with an all-holy God.”You can use these two pieces of good evidence against Joel Osteen, but you all can use them against yourselves, as well…Who’s belief in God is the most right? Who is seeking him the right way?In fact, no one’s belief is right enough and no one is seeking him righteously enough, so maybe all you criticizers would be good to look in the mirror and receive graciously the gift of salvation from God. Instead of trying to bring others, like Osteen, down, why don’t you worry about uplifting and encouraging others to see the unbelievable joy of knowing a Creator who has given it all for us through unlimited forgiveness and eternal Love

You all are a bunch of hypocrites! It’s easy to say crap about someone who leads the largest church in america and ministers to more people each week than you see in your lifetime. It’s also easy to talk smack about someone, judge, and turn the other cheek. What does the bible say about taking the log out of your own eye before taking the speck out of your brothers eye?? Now I’m sure this makes you mad what I’m saying to you and you all profess to be believers, how do you think a nation full of non believers would take the same message that you’re wanting joel to make, if christians alone get turned off by being judged??? Yes as believers we are told to rebuke sin and preach the gospel, but the gospel is not judgmental, it is a narrow path but as the people traveling on it, rebuking and judging the lost isn’t the way to help the lost be found. What if you were headed to your car where YOU parked it, and a stranger said hey dumb ass thats not the way to your car! You’d be like 1 who are you to call me that when I don’t even know you, and 2 I know the way to my car, it’s where I parked it. Now what if the stranger said to you hey sir I know you may be headed to get your car, but as I was walking by, I saw someone break in and steal you’re car, if you want to know the way to you’re car, call this number. You’d be like thank you so much!!!Yeah may not be the best analogy but it does get the point across about how we address the gospel to the world who in school is taught and through the news is taught what the gospel is and is not from a world perspective, not the real, truthful perspective. SO before you and anyone else starts ripping on Joel or other Christians who are showing Christ’s Love instead of being a pharisee and throwing rocks at the “sinner” you should think about what the True message of Christ and the Bible is; Love thy neighbor as thyself. And I’ll be the first to say that I have just as big a plank in my eye as anyone else that I’m daily working out of me so in God’s eyes I’m no better than anyone on this planet.

Mike and Tyler,First of all, this article is not against homosexuals. We should love all sinners and tell them the good news of the gospel. This article is an overview of Joel Osteen’s interview on The View. If any pastor goes on national television and makes statements contrary to the gospel of Christ – they need to be corrected. This isn’t a one time deal with Osteen! This has become a steady pattern over the years.Therefore, we have a responsibility as Christians to expose those who pervert the gospel. It doesn’t matter how big their church is, how big their smile is, or how many books they have authored – if they are in error on the foundational elements of the gospel – it’s a divisive and dangerous issue that must be exposed.Osteen is a man who is embraced as a Christian pastor, but he denies the exclusivity of Jesus Christ. In other words, he doesn’t believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven for the entire planet. He makes statements such as, “For me, Jesus is the only way.” That is known in the theology world as “relativism” which simply means that people define their own boundaries and make their own rules. That has become a very popular way of thinking in our postmodern culture. However, it isn’t the truth. Absolute truth exists – and we must be clear on the absolutes of the gospel.Jesus is the only way a sinner can be reconciled to God – no matter if they live in India or Houston. Osteen doesn’t believe that. While I believe that his position on homosexuality is a problem – I believe the foundation of his theology drives his position on homosexuality and that is the most dangerous issue of all!Why did I take time to write this article? Because Osteen has great influence. I would rather see him repent and be used for the glory of God than continuing down a path that leads millions of people to a Christless eternity.Romans 16:17 – Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.Paul said that we should mark those who create divisions and pervert the gospel. That is exactly what Joel Osteen is doing! Therefore, we must speak up and stand firm on the gospel of Jesus Christ.J.I. Packer once said, “The mark of the false prophet or teacher is self-serving unfaithfulness to God and His truth.” Just watch and see who Joel Osteen is seeking to serve. Is it money (which he mentioned in this interview) or Christ? We must remember that Osteen is part of the Word Faith (Health, Wealth, and Prosperity gospel) movement that Benny Hinn embraces. Osteen has an agenda and has packaged it well within the clothes of religiosity.

Tyler, you’re attacking a straw man. No one has taken the kind of tone you imply. Showing Christ’s love requires we tell the truth. We should care more that people hear a truthful message, which isn’t always complimentary, than we should care if they enjoy the way it is delivered.

Wowdude thats a little harsh isn`t it? Joel is kind of a woose sometimes but I wouldn`t go as far as dismissing him as a pastor. Most pastors would be gone under your view. Take a look at Eagle Brook Church sometime.

When a “pastor” denies the absolute and critcal requirement for Christ in salvation, then we are at rank Universalism. This heresy has been dealt with numerous times in church history and refuted at each juncture. Bible teaching is abundantly clear on the need for Christ and His work on the cross. It is insanity for a Christian to deny that Christ is necessary for the Salvation of God’s people.The critcal need for substitutionary atonement is so obvious in the Christian’s salvation as to be ridiculously so.The church is in real trouble. Humanism, relativism, pragmatism, and a host of other dangerous worldviews and philosophies are ravaging God’s people. Our schools and universities have suceeded beyond compare, and now we seem to interpret the Bible through the lense of “What it means to me” and “My reality”. No friend, it’s what it meant, and means, to God.When the women of “The View” are pleased with you as a Christian, you are in deep trouble. “Friendship” with the world system is always a warning sign to us.

Hmmm…What does the bible say about judgement? And I seem to remember a little something…let he who has not sinned cast the first stone. Lots of stones are being thrown here. Nothing presented on THIS page is even SIMILAR to Christianity. Before you people point fingers, make sure your hands are clean!!!

“Nothing presented on THIS page is even SIMILAR to Christianity.” Really? Truthfullly?Judge not Megan, right..?The Bible calls us to admonish one another.We were all unclean until washed clean by Jesus Christ.

This blog’s mission is not to further the Gospel. This blog’s mission, from my point of view, is to point out everything wrong with Joel Osteen.Joel Osteen loves the Lord. His church reaches hundreds of thousands of people every single day. His preaching that is on TV is very much baby food. He is trying to reach the lost. His church is full of real meaty food that will meet the needs of believers as they mature and grow in Christ.I love that Joel Osteen takes a very humble approach when he is on these national TV shows. He chooses his words wisely and he doesn’t come out with guns blazing labeling people as “going to hell.”I am GLAD that he didn’t cause the hosts of The View to leave the stage. I am GLAD he doesn’t have the reputation that Bill O’Reilly has. I am GLAD that he doesn’t go out with the goal of offending everyone that he can.Jesus was a friend to sinners. He confronted them privately, and directly. He didn’t go to the highest mountain top and yell out “Gays, you are sinners and going to hell!” He didn’t do that. He made connections, THEN confronted sin (see Zaccheus, woman at the well, et al).

Mae,1. The purpose of this blog is to spread the gospel and sharpen Christians in the Scriptures. That also involves warning the sheep of wolves from time to time. Osteen is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.2. Jesus was a friend of sinners, but He also confronted sinners with the truth. He told Nicodemus that He must be born again! He shared the exclusive way of salvation by saying He was the only way in John 14:6. In Matthew 7, He spoke of the narrow path. That is the complete opposite of what you hear from Osteen’s mouth!Jesus was a friend of sinners and provided them with forgiveness when they repented. However, He also confronted the religious community boldly. Notice the words Jesus spoke in Matthew 23!Jesus called these religious people:Vs. 13 – HypocritesVs. 16 – Blind GuidesVs. 17 – Blind FoolsVs. 27 – Whitewashed TombsVs. 33 – Vipers who were sentenced to Hell!So, Jesus was willing to tell people they were going to Hell.Mae – what is wrong with telling people the truth? Are you afraid you will push them to a greater Hell than they are already headed toward? I would encourage you to be like Jesus rather than Joel – Jesus was a faithful preacher and friend of sinners at the same time. True friends tell the truth.I try to be that way in my own Christian life and ministry. I will preach that homosexuality is a sin, but I will never push a homosexual out the doors of our church. I welcome them to attend and hear the truth proclaimed. However, if asked on national television – it must be stated that God never created anyone as a homosexual and that homosexuality is a sin.

To me this is a case of NOT throwing pearls before swine…I work tenderly around this subject at my work. As I read this I see that ‘gentle’ Joel’s statement pointed them in the corrected direction that pastors like that wont stay in the christian church. He did share his stand indirectly because he pointed out that is what the scriptures say that “they” wont stay!.. didnt Jesus tenderly say to the women with several husbands “You have many husbands.” Jesus didnt yell “ADULTERERs & FORNICATORS will not enter the kingdom of heaven… He kept her interest without condemnation…besides the’VIEW’s intent wasnt to truly get to the truth they were trying to trap Joel to be condemnatory & but Joel slipped out of their hands

1 John 2:22 (New International Version)22 Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—denying the Father and the Son.He uses the term Liar… is he ‘judging’?Can Budda be ‘the Christ’?Can the God of Islam take Jesus’ place?What about the humanist view. Who is Christ for the new age spiritualist? What about the Atheist?Did Paul caution us not to judge “Apostate teachings”? (you know a verse is coming!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPeYUXuuRUM”Many ways to salvation…”??!!1 Timothy 2:5 (New International Version)5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus…

On Larry King Live, the following very disturbing conversation occurred with Larry King and Joel Osteen:KING: What if you’re Jewish or Muslim, you don’t accept Christ at all?OSTEEN: You know, I’m very careful about saying who would and wouldn’t go to heaven. I don’t know …Osteen doesn’t know? What! How can a professed Gospel preacher not know who’s going to Heaven? At this point, even Larry King appears surprised by Osteen’s answer. Then Larry tosses Osteen a “soft-ball” to explain his previous answer. And again Osteen openly denies that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way of salvation.KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They’re wrong, aren’t they?OSTEEN: Well, I don’t know if I believe they’re wrong. I believe here’s what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God will judge a person’s heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don’t know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don’t know. I’ve seen their sincerity. So I don’t know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.Do we really need to debate this?

Romans 8:1-4 (NIV)1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.Jesus took our sin on the cross. The Christian is righteous before God because of that sacrifice.

How did the Apostle Paul deal with Apostasy? Clearly we know.Also, the “life verse” of the unbeliever… And the most misquoted verse in the Bible… Mt 7:1 – Judge Not…Matthew 7:1-5 (New King James Version)1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.- Why are we told to “admonish” in scripture? Are we judging?- Why does the Bible advocate “church discipline” in Mt 18:15-19?- Why are we told to remove the plank in our eye BEFORE removing the speck from other’s eyes. Note that we are not told to IGNORE the wood in other’s eyes! We are never told to completely ignore our brother’s sin!Mr. Osteen denies the Gospel. This is very serious.

Lets love Joel Osteen, after all, he is our BROTHER.I’m pretty sure that he is accomplishing a lot more than most of us in showing people Gods love. And thats what it boils down to, is LOVE. If people know that they are loved by God, they will turn to God. If people are receiving judgment & condemnation they will turn away from God.This world is crying out for love. The real deal, Gods love. If us as christians become vessels for Gods raw love to flow through, nations will get saved.The healing of an individual is God’s demonstration to that soul that his sins have been forgiven and that He is loved.Guys don’t forget that God loves YOU madly

People who come here and say we should “love” Osteen would have done the same for the Gonostics and cults of the first century that the church stood against.These are people so soft with a modern concept of “love” that they are unable to stake their stand against evil. to deny Christ as the way to God, is doctrinally wrong. To do it as a pastor, Shepherd, teacher– is evil.

I second the motion… right on David.How can a pastor preach the Devil’s agenda (many ways to God, good works/positiveness salvation, don’t need Christ) and be considered a servant of God?Isn’t this basically Pelagianism? This was established as heresy about the 5th century, correct?

HMMM…interesting how from the pages upon pages in the Bible everyone seems to know the one about “casting stones.” The one statement that can be spun to justify and minimize our sins. There is a difference between “judging” and sentencing. We have to judge…Jesus did plenty of judging. I have a 4 year old son, and I judge him all day long. I love him all day long too.

There is a huge difference between judgement and discernment. The author is not judging Jose Osteen but he is discerning between right and wrong. Pastors have a tremendous responsibility as church leaders to teach the truth. God’s truth. The truth that Jesus Christ died for. God’s plan of salvation is far too important to allow it to get lost in man’s desire to make money, get attention or put out the wrong information. I don’t see Osteen as a demonic horrible being. He is, however, quite misguided and he will have to account for what he is doing. I don’t want anything bad for him. I didn’t make the rules, God did.

Ya know….it just breaks my heart because these wolves in sheep’s clothing are leading people away from the TRUTH of Jesus and the holiness of god. Our creator is a just god and to not deal with the injustice of the lies these wolves teach to the blind so they may have a scratching of the ear message infuriates me because those things are not after the heart of god! They are schemes of the enemy to cause many to believe in a false doctine!! I WOULD KNOW!!! I’VE BEEN RAISED IN A CULT WHO TWISTED THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE BENEFIT OF MAN!! MY ADVICE TO ALL IS ASK GOD YOUR FATHER FOR DISCERNMENT BECAUSE A DAY IS COMING WHEN WE HAVE TO STAND AND STAND ALONE MAYBE!!! BE NOT TROUBLED BECAUSE THE LORD GOD OUR AWESOME PAPA WILL BE WITH YOU!!!!! THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU ALL!

I agree that Joel should be taking a more hard line biblical stance rather than a relativistic stance on these questions. I think that he was trying to cut homosexuals a lot of slack as it is the politically correct thing to do, especially on a liberal show like “The View”.

It is possible that a lot of the people that are attracted to Joel Osteen are more attracted to his charisma and positive thinking approach to ministry than they are to the scripture itself. Anyway, whatever his motivation, he has been very successful in building a large local church and an even larger televangelist ministry.

We are to “expel the wicked from among you” as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 5. Joel Osteen in a false teacher and so he needs to be confronted as such. He is doing this for financial gain and is in Paul’s words a swindler.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[c] but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”[d

I just pray that he comes to his senses before it is too late! As a “Pastor” he is held at a higher accountability.

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